Intro to Renewables

Question 2

Renewable vs Non-renewable

Answer 2

naturally replenishing (may be intermittent) vs depletable

Question 3

Renewable Energy Resources (3 types)

Answer 3

Demand side (increase efficiency), Not depletable (wind, solar, ocean), Carefully managed (hydro, geothermal, biomass)

Question 4

Clean-Tech (definition)

Answer 4

innovative technology for enviro friendly, not just alt energy gen

Question 5

Green Energy (definition)

Answer 5

environmentally friendly sources of power (renewable, non-polluting)

Question 6

Sustainable (definition)

Answer 6

energy use manner meets current needs w/o jeopardizing future needs

Question 7

Global Energy/Electricity Needs met by Renewables

Answer 7

Energy (8%), Electricity (19%)

Question 8

Global Reneweable use trend

Answer 8

2011: wind (20%) US#2, solar (74%) US#5

Question 9

US Energy Needs met by Renewables

Answer 9

6% (non hydro)

Question 10

US History of Renewables

Answer 10

PURPA, ITC, solar, Energy Policies Act (created PTC>ITC), states develop RPS and PBF

Question 11

Key Drivers of Energy Choices (5)

Answer 11

demand growth, supply challenges, technology & policy, environmental constraints, security of supply

Question 12

Renewables Benefits (6)

Answer 12

low/no fuel cost, low enviro impact, social = private cost, community benefits, modular/distributed, low/no C

Question 13

Renewables Challenges (6)

Answer 13

high capital costs, some enviro impact, low levels of govt support, alt uses, deliverability, non-dispatchable

Question 14

Policies that Advance Renewables (4)

Answer 14

technical standards, financial incentives/direct spending, utility programs, markets

Question 15

Technical standards that advance renewables (2)

Answer 15

Renewable Portfolio Standards, Emissions/water regulations

Question 16

Financial incentives that advance renewables(6)

Answer 16

Incentives (PTC, ITC), CREB, PACE, R&D, Govt Purchases, Tax Externalities

Question 17

Utility programs that advance renewables (4)

Answer 17

Feed-in Tariffs, Net Metering, Rebates, Low-interest Loans

Question 18

Markets that advance renewables (4)

Answer 18

RECs, Green Power, Cap and Trade, Corporate Policy

Question 19

RPS

Answer 19

States increase use of renewables to protect against increased fossil fuel price. States level more effective than federal level. Other countries have high goals set for 2020

Question 20

Countries that have high 2020 goals

Answer 20

Australia, Japan, Ireland, South Korea, India

Question 21

PTC

Answer 21

Replaced ITC, created in 1992, gives a tax credit per/kWh for companies producing wind and biomass

Question 22

FIT

Answer 22

Feed-in Tariff pays a guaranteed price for power (electricity or heat) generated from a renewable source

Question 23

Net Metering

Answer 23

Credit for self-generation of electricity at the retail rate

Question 24

How do RECs work?

Answer 24

Renewable Energy facilities generate RECs when they produce electricity. Businesses buy RECs to offset electricity generation to ensure renewable sources are used

Question 25

PBF

Answer 25

Public Benefits Fund, funds efficiency and other public programs via electric utilities